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" VIEW MORE PHOTOS  Enlarging and updating a home is always a challenge. If you also need to preserve the architectural integrity of a historic structure, the task can be daunting indeed. But this New York couple just had to make the attempt. Captivated by the dramatic, ever-changing interplay of coastal landscape and distinctive light in Essex, Massachusetts, 35 miles north of Boston (the husband had grown up in the area), they found a circa-1860 Greek Revival farmhouse on a spectacular 22-acre site and were won over by its quintessential New England charm. However, the twostory, six-room abode, at approximately 2,000 square feet, was too small for them and their four sons, aged 10 to 18. In addition, says the wife, &amp;quot;in no way did it do justice to the views.&amp;quot;  The problem? The dwelling was oriented toward the street. This meant the expansive vistas over swaths of upland, marshland, the Essex River, and all the way to Crane Beach, a few miles to the east, could not be adequately enjoyed from inside. Building an addition was a delicate but necessary decision. &amp;quot;We loved the site and wanted to respect it,&amp;quot; says the wife, so choosing the right person for the job was critical. The family hired architect Stephen Roberts Holt\u2014the fourth generation of a local family of design and construction pros\u2014who is known for his expertise and sensitivity in working on old homes in the area. Holt teamed with Wenham, Massachusetts\u2013based builder Al Evans for the yearand-a-half-long project. Holt&amp;#039;s solution was inspired by a centuries-old New England tradition: augmenting\u2014typically, over time\u2014an existing structure with new sections. &amp;quot;It&amp;#039;s an additive method. I designed this addition to look much like old farms in the area, where the barn would be the biggest element and smaller outbuildings would be built as families prospered,&amp;quot; Holt explains. He made sure the expanded home, at 6,000 square feet, was not overly imposing. &amp;quot;I didn&amp;#039;t want it to jump out when viewed from the water, but to sit in the grade and conform to the river&amp;#039;s contour.&amp;quot;  Following the line of the topography, Holt linked an unassertive two-story structure to the back of the original house. It features a 45-foot-long space containing an expansive, airy open-plan family room, dining area, and kitchen, with ceilings peaking at 13 feet. Multiple windows and doors access a deck enveloped by verdant landscape. Viewed from the exterior, this portion surprises: It really consists of three small connected houses, each with a single gabled roof. Evoking a row of typical New England clamshacks along a wharf, the design both reflects local architecture and helps visually minimize the mass of the building.  Interiors were finished in a traditional mode, to match the house. The beadboard walls; wide-plank, molasses-colored native pine flooring; trim; and random-width (8- to 12-inch) pine boards\u2014nailed horizontally to the ceiling, shipbuilding style\u2014are consistent with 19th-century detailing. Everything but the floors is painted white. The net effect is a serene backdrop for the stellar views.  Working with local antiques dealer Andrew Spindler, the homeowners found a varied mix of furniture: Items like a pair of Brazilian chairs in rope and jacaranda wood and an iconic Danish midcentury chaise designed by Hans Wegner, among others, easily coalesce to create a relaxed environment. With the diffuse coastal light that fills these spaces, bright color wasn&amp;#039;t called for. Neutrals were slightly punched up with vibrant accent pillows or throws.  The heart of the kitchen is a sturdy, furniturelike island-height table. The custom-made unit, a pine base with a Carrara marble top, has generous drawers and a shelf below for big platters and ceramic pieces. Avoiding enclosed upper cabinetry in favor of open storage also keeps things simple.  At the center of this section&amp;#039;s floor plan, the rustic pine dining table makes a great gathering spot. Here friends and family unite to enjoy farm-fresh food and summer evenings spent in awe of the surrounding land and sky; all are mesmerized by the magical transformation as night falls.  Floor Plan  In order to gain more space and make the most of their property&amp;#039;s stunning views, the owners of a 2,000-square-foot 19th-century home built a two-story 4,000-square-foot addition onto its rear. The main-floor living area now includes three generously windowed, identical-size (14-by-16-foot) spaces\u2014kitchen, dining area, and family room\u2014sharing an open plan and accessing a 45-foot-long deck with expansive river and landscape vistas. A second floor contains bedrooms, baths, a study, storage space, and another deck. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.elledecor.com/home-remodeling-renovating/a240/yankee-ingenuity-42367/>